B-17F Bloody Hundredth 1943

B-17F

The B-17F initially served with the 91 BG for a Month, then was assigned to the 100 BG, arriving at Thorpe Abbotts Air Base on July 5, 1943.

The meaning of the Name "Nine Little Yank and a J**k" has two different Interpretations. The first speaks of Lt.Hughes' ten-man Crew, which had Nine northern Boys (Yanks) and only one southern Boy (J**k), suggesting friendly banter between the Men of a Crew. Another Version uses the fact that the Word "J**k" can also be Interpreted as "I***t, fool, or I***t...", with a different Person supposedly being Nicknamed "J**k" on each Mission.

This B-17 was damaged many Times during its Missions and spent a lot of time in Repair. On January 24, 1944, the left landing gear leg was retracted during a landing and the B-17 was damaged and scrapped. By this time the B-17 had logged 28 Combat Missions, 2 Decoys and 5 Kills. Armored Glass was installed in the cockpit, the de-icing cuffs were retained and the Propeller hubs were Black. The sides of the fuselage showed signs of repainting the original Squadron Letters and the original Small Type 2 Insignia. Three Nose deck Windows were Factory installed and the Astrodome was replaced with flat Plexiglass, a relic from previous Operations of the 91 BG.

The Crew of Capt. Robert L.M. Hughes' B-17 Destroyed the Following Enemy Aircraft during the Missions:

Richard E. Elliot 1 Messerschmitt Bf 109

Robert L. Mckimmy 1 Focke-Wulf 190

Joseph F. Boyle 2 Messerschmitt 410

Donald S. Davis 1 Messerschmitt Bf 109

Beautiful Kit from which you can Create 14 different Versions, Precise Etched Parts and Masks to Cover the Windows. Plus two very nice Booklets with Historical Information and Assembly Instructions for the Kit.

Kit: Eduard 1:48

18 additional images. Click to enlarge.